Berlin: The EU’s founding states said on Saturday they want Britain to begin leaving the union “as soon as possible” as France urged a new British prime minister to take office quickly.

German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, hosting the six original states of the European Union in Berlin, said they were in agreement that London must not wait to start the complex procedure of extracting itself from the bloc.

“We join together in saying that this process must begin as soon as possible so we don’t end up in an extended limbo period but rather can focus on the future of Europe and the work toward it.”

His French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault said it was urgent David Cameron, who on Friday said he would resign by October,  clear the way for new leadership to manage the transition. “A new prime minister must be designated, that will take a few days but there is a certain urgency,” he said.